A prominent national civil rights organization dedicated to battling antisemitism has criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his perceived inaction against Jewish hatred during his initial 100 days in office.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed dissatisfaction, stating that Mayor Mamdani’s actions—or the absence of them—pose “serious cause for concern.”
“Mayor Mamdani seeks recognition for combating antisemitism, yet his policies, programs, and team choices in these first 100 days are troubling,” commented Scott Richman, the ADL’s NY-NJ regional director, to The Post.
“He has failed to actively safeguard Jewish communities and has revoked important antisemitism protections, all while claiming dedication to Jewish interests,” Richman added.
Upon assuming office, Mayor Mamdani, a democratic socialist, annulled executive orders from former Mayor Eric Adams that prohibited city officials from participating in boycotts or divestments targeting Israel.
Mamdani also reversed another Adams administration directive that embraced the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
Adams said the order aimed to stop “demonizing Israel and holding it to double standards as forms of contemporary antisemitism.”
A persistent critic of Israel, Mamdani himself supports the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the Jewish state.
He accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians and has associated with left-wing activists considered antisemitic, such as Hasan Piker.
The ADL considers the BDS movement a form of antisemitism for trying to delegitimize and economically harm Israel, the world’s only Jewish state.
“ADL believes that many of the founding goals of the BDS movement, which effectively reject or ignore the Jewish people’s right of self-determination, or that, if implemented, would result in the eradication of the world’s only Jewish state, are antisemitic,” the group says on its website.
Richman of the ADL said Mamdani could improve his relationship with Jews by signing a bill that passed the City Council that would allow the NYPD to create buffer zones barring protests near the entrances of synagogues and other houses of worship.
The proposal follows a melee outside the Park East Synagogue last November on the Upper East Side.
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“ADL will continue to hold Mayor Mamdani accountable for his promises to be a mayor for all New Yorkers, including Jewish New Yorkers. He can start by signing the buffer zone bills passed by the New York City Council,” he said.
The anti-Israel views of Mamdani’s wife, first lady Rama Duwaji, have also sown distrust among many in the Jewish community.
The professional illustrator created artwork for the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America as the lefty group unleashed a public campaign called “PalestineOnTheBallot.com.”
Old tweets surfaced of Duwaji liking social media posts cheering Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, onslaught against Israel, praising Palestinian terrorists and criticizing the US military.
Duwaji also provided illustrations for an antisemitic author who described Jewish people as “vampires,” The Post previously reported.
Jewish leaders said Mamdani should tone down his bashing of Israel, arguing it fans the flames of antisemitism.
“His opinions on Israel are unconscionable. Some of the comments unintentionally contributed to antisemitism,” said Councilman Simcha Felder, who represents heavily orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in southern Brooklyn, including Borough Park, Flatbush, Gravesend, Mapleton, and Midwood.
Felder said most people equate Judaism and Israel as one, so accusing Israel of committing genocide impacts all Jews and “contributes to antisemitism.”
“The concept that there is a distinction between the two doesn’t hold water,” Felder said.
So, what is Felder’s advice?
“Stop acting as if you are the US ambassador to the United Nations,” he said.
A recent Marist College poll found that many Jews disapprove of Mamdani’s job performance 100 days into his tenure.
Only 38% of Jewish residents had a favorable view of Mamdani and 55% had an unfavorable view — the only group of religious New Yorkers to give the new Hizzoner a thumbs down.
Brooklyn Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, who also represents heavily Jewish neighborhoods, gave Mamdani an “F” grade for his handling of Jewish relations and antisemitism.
“He continues to platform antisemites, gaslight the Jewish community, has appointed renowned Jew haters to positions of authority, and endorsed Jew aters for public office. I don’t think he’s even trying for a good grade,” Yeger said.
Another longtime Jewish activist from Queens said both Mamdani and different factions of the Jewish community have to find a way to work together.
Michael Nussbaum, a 25-year member of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said, “The Jewish community is still trying to find a way to work with the mayor. The mayor needs to open a dialogue with the larger Jewish community, not just one faction.”
He praised Mamdani’s work with the police department, including keeping Jessica Tisch as commissioner, and for working with him to create the first Holocaust Memorial in Queens at Borough Hall.
“It’s a story still to be written,” he said of Mamdani and the Jewish community.
Mamdani’s office had no immediate comment.
However, he has previously vowed that his administration would crack down on antisemitism and all forms of bigotry.
